November 3rd at 7am, Snohomish County will be hosting the thirteenth annual Focus on Farming conference and the second annual Focus on Forestry conference at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. This vital event focuses on the economic viability of agriculture and provides six industry tracks including the new Food Safety Modernization Act, the Business of Farming, Exporting your Agriculture Products, Livestock Production, the Sustainable Lands Strategy, New Production Opportunities, and a track on Hot Topics!

The Focus on Forestry conference will cover important topics such as the Transfer of Developments Rights Program, and classes for small forest land owners to generate alternative income while waiting for your trees to grow and Specialty Forest Products.

Check-in/breakfast with the Biscuit Box begins at 7am with Washington State Director of Agriculture Derek Sandison and keynote speaker Steve Butcher, CEO of Brown Paper Tickets giving his ideology of how to improve American business at 8:15am. Attendees of this event will spend the day learning, networking, and enjoying a lunch made with local fresh farm products by great chefs from the Mill Creek Country Club. Afternoon keynote speaker Dr. David Kohl, Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus, will discussing not only the emerging trends impacting agriculture but alsorural America’s bottom line in the short and long run.

While enjoying a great meal, learning innovative solutions to current issues facing the farming and forest industry you can also visit the ever-popular tradeshow. With two distinct conferences, this event will provide attendees with opportunities to expand their network and gain not just information, but inspiration to try something new. Your next step is to check out the conference website at http://snohomishcountywa.gov/1466/Conferences

A special thank you to this year’s conference sponsors Snohomish Conservation District, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Forterra, and Snohomish County Parks.

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